Instructions

On 18th December 2015, UPSC conducted the Essay paper for the civil services mains examination.

The essay must be written in the medium authorized in the admission certificate which must be stated clearly on the cover of this question-cum-answer (QCA) booklet in the space provided. No marks will be given for answers written in medium other than authorized one.

Word limit, as specified, should be adhered to.

Any page or portion of the page left blank, must be struck off clearly.

Section-A: 125 Marks

Write any one of the following essay in 1000-1200 words.

Lending hands to someone is better than giving a dole.

Quick but steady wins the race.

Character of an institution is reflected in its leader.

Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make a man more clever devil.

Section-B: 125 Marks

Write any one of the following essay in 1000-1200 words.

Technology cannot replace manpower.

Crisis faced in India – moral or economic.

Dreams which should not let India sleep.

Can capitalism bring inclusive growth?

Previous Papers vs. 2015

Earlier Papers

2015

2014- new trend started: Total 8 essay topics divided equally in two sections and you’ve to write one essay from each section

Independent thinking should be encouraged right form the childhood. -2007

Restructuring of Indian education system. -1995

Literacy is growing very fast, but there is no corresponding growth in education. -1996

What is real education? -2005

Indian Democracy, society, culture, mindset

Dreams which should not let India sleep. -2015

Is sting operation an invasion on privacy? -2014

Fifty Golds in Olympics: Can this be a reality for India? -2014

Is the Colonial mentality hindering India’s Success? -2013

In the context of Gandhiji’s views on the matter, explore, on an evolutionary scale, the terms ‘Swadhinata’, ‘Swaraj’ and ‘Dharmarajya’. Critically comment on their contemporary relevance to Indian democracy -2012

Does Indian cinema shape our popular culture or merely reflect it? -2011

Indian culture today: a myth or a reality? -2000

Modernism and our traditional socio-ethical values. -2000

Youth culture today. -1999

Mass media and cultural invasion. -1999

The composite culture of India. -1998

The Indian society at the crossroads. -1994

Geography may remain the same ; history need not. -2010

From traditional Indian philanthropy to the gates-buffet model-a natural progression or a paradigm shift? -2010

Modernisation and westernisation are not identical concepts. -1994

New cults and godmen: a threat to traditional religion -1996

How has satellite television brought about cultural change in Indian mindsets? -2007

‘ globalization’ vs. ‘ nationalism’ -2009

National identity and patriotism -2008

Responsibility of media in a democracy. -2002

Why should we be proud of being Indians? -2000

True religion cannot be misused. -1997

Globalizations and its impact on Indian culture. -2004

International issues

India’s role in promoting ASEAN co-operation. -2004

The masks of new imperialism. -2003

As civilization advances culture declines. -2003

The implications of globalization for India. -2000

My vision of an ideal world order. -2001

India’s contribution to world wisdom. -1998

The world of the twenty-first century. -1998

Preparedness of our society for India’s global leadership role. -2010

The global order: political and economic -1993

Importance of Indo-US nuclear agreement -2006

Good fences make good neighbours -2009

Terrorism and world peace -2005

Restructuring of UNO reflect present realities -1996

Quote based, Philosophy, Ethics

Lending hands to someone is better than giving a dole. -2015

Quick but steady wins the race. -2015

Character of an institution is reflected in its leader. -2015

With greater power comes greater responsibility. -2014

Words are sharper than the two-edged sword. -2014

Be the change you want to see in others (Gandhi)-2013

Discipline means success, anarchy means ruin -2008

Attitude makes, habit makes character and character makes a man. -2007

There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so. -2003

Search for truth can only be a spiritual problem. -2002

Disinterested intellectual curiosity is the lifeblood of civilisation. -1995

Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds. -1995

Youth is a blunder, manhood a struggle, old age a regret -1994

Useless life is an early death. -1994

He would reigns within himself and folds his passions and desires and fears is more than a king. -1993

Compassion is the basic of all morality would -1993

If youth knew, if age could. -2002

The paths of glory lead but to the grave. -2002

The pursuit of excellence. -2001

Truth is lived, not taught -1996

Polity, administration

Creation of smaller states and the consequent administrative , economic and developmental implication -2011

Evaluation of panchayati raj system in India from the point of view of eradication of power to people. -2007

Justice must reach the poor -2005

Water resources should be under the control of the central government. -2004

The misinterpretation and misuse of freedom in India. -1998

The language problem in India: its past, present and prospects. -1998

Reservation, politics and empowerment. -1999

When money speaks, the truth is silent. -1995

How should a civil servant conduct himself? -2003

Politics without ethics is a disaster. -1995

Judicial activism. -1997

The vip cult is a bane of Indian democracy -1996

Need for transparency in public administration -1996

Whither Indian democracy? -1995

Politics, bureaucracy and business – fatal triangle. -1994

How far has democracy in India delivered the goods? -2003

What we have not learnt during fifty years of independence. -1997

My vision of India in 2001 a.d. -1993

In the Indian context , both human intelligence and technical intelligence are crucial in combating terrorism -2011

Is autonomy the best answer to combat balkanization? -2007

The country’s need for a better disaster management system. -2000

Are we a ‘soft ’ state ? -2009

Role of media in good governance -2008

Judicial activism and Indian democracy. -2004

What have we gained from our democratic set-up? -2001

Urbanisation and its hazards -2008

Food security for sustainable national development -2005

Science-Technology

Technology cannot replace manpower. -2015

Science and technology is the panacea for the growth and security of the nation-2013

Science and Mysticism : Are they compatible ?-2012

Computer: the harbinger of silent revolution. -1993

The march of science and the erosion of human values. -2001

The modern doctor and his patients. -1997

Increasing computerization would lead to the creation of a dehumanized society. -2006

The cyberworld: its charms and challenges. -2000

The lure of space. -2004

Spirituality and scientific temper. -2003

Women empowerment

Managing work and home – is the Indian working woman getting a fair deal ?-2012

Men have failed: let women take over. -1993

Women’s reservation bill would usher in empowerment for women in India. -2006

The hand that rocks the cradle -2005

If women ruled the world -2005

Whither women’s emancipation? -2004

Empowerment alone cannot help our women. -2001

Women empowerment: challenges and prospects. -1999

Woman is god’s best creation. -1998

Greater political power alone will not improve women’s plight. -1997

The new emerging women power: the ground realities. -1995

Essaylist: Yearwise Last 23 years (1993-2015)

visit Mrunal.org/download for more papers.

Click to expand and see last 23 years' essays

2015

write one essay from each sectionSection-A

Lending hands to someone is better than giving a dole.

Quick but steady wins the race.

Character of an institution is reflected in its leader.

Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make a man more clever devil.

Section-B

Technology cannot replace manpower.

Crisis faced in India – moral or economic.

Dreams which should not let India sleep.

Can capitalism bring inclusive growth?

2014

write one essay from each sectionSection-A

With greater power comes greater responsibility. -2014

Is the growing level of competition good for the youth? -2014

Are the standardized tests good measure of academic ability or progress? -2014

Words are sharper than the two-edged sword. -2014

Section-B

Was it the policy paralysis or the paralysis of implementation which slowed the growth of our country?

Is sting operation an invasion on privacy?

Fifty Golds in Olympics: Can this be a reality for India?

Tourism: Can this be the next big thing for India?

2013

Be the change you want to see in others (Gandhi)

Is the Colonial mentality hindering India’s Success

GDP (Gross Domestic Product) along with GDH (Gross Domestic Happiness) would be the right indices for judging the wellbeing of a country

Science and technology is the panacea for the growth and security of the nation.

2012

In the context of Gandhiji’s views on the matter, explore, on an evolutionary scale, the terms ‘Swadhinata’, ‘Swaraj’ and ‘Dharmarajya’. Critically comment on their contemporary relevance to Indian democracy.

Is the criticism that the ‘Public-Private-Partnership’ (PPP) model for development is more of a bane than a boon in the Indian context, justified?

Science and Mysticism : Are they compatible ?

Managing work and home – is the Indian working woman getting a fair deal?

2011

1. Creation of smaller states and the consequent administrative , economic and developmental implication 2. Does Indian Cinema shape our popular culture or merely reflect it 3. Credit – based higher education system – status , opportunities and challenges 4. In the Indian context , Both human intelligence and technical intelligence are crucial in combating terrorism

2010

1. Geography may remain the same; history need not. 2. Should a moratorium be imposed on all fresh mining in tribal areas of the country? 3. Preparedness of our society for India’s global leadership role. 4. From traditional Indian philanthropy to the Gates-Buffet model-a natural progression or a paradigm shift?

1. Role of Media in good governance 2. National Identity and Patritism 3. Special Economic Zone : Boon or Bane 4. Descipline means success , anarchy means ruin 5. Urbanisation and Its Hazards 6. Is an Egalitarian society possible by educating the masses ?

2007

1. Independent thinking should be encouraged right form the childhood. 2. Evaluation of Panchayati Raj System in India from the point of view of eradication of power to people. 3. Attitude makes, habit makes character and character makes a man. 4. Is Autonomy the best answer to combat balkanization? 5. How has satellite television brought about cultural change in Indian mindsets. 6. BPO boom in India.

2006

1. Women’s Reservation Bill Would Usher in Empowerment for Women in India. 2. Protection of Ecology and Environment is Essential for Sustained Economic Development. 3. Importance of Indo-U.S. Nuclear Agreement 4. “Education for All” Campaign in India: Myth or Reality. 5. Globalization Would Finish Small-Scale Industries in India. 6. Increasing Computerization Would lead to the Creation of a Dehumanized Society.

2005

1. Justice must reach the poor 2. The hand that rocks the cradle 3. If women ruled the world 4. What is real education? 5. Terrorism and world peace 6. Food security for sustainable national development

2004

1. India’s Role in Promoting ASEAN Co-operation. 2. Judicial Activism and Indian Democracy. 3. Whither Women’s Emancipation? 4. Globalizations and Its Impact on Indian Culture. 5. The Lure of Space. 6. Water Resources Should Be Under the Control of the Central Government.

2003

1. The Masks of New Imperialism. 2. How far has democracy in India delivered the goods? 3. How should a civil servant conduct himself? 4. As civilization advances culture declines. 5. There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so. 6. Spirituality and Scientific temper.

2002

1. Modern technological education and human values. 2. Search for truth can only be a spiritual problem. 3. If youth knew, if age could. 4. The paths of glory lead but to the grave. 5. Privatization of higher education in India. 6. Responsibility of media in a democracy.

2001

1. What have we gained from our democratic set-up? 2. My vision of an ideal world order. 3. The march of science and the erosion of human values. 4. Irrelevance of the classroom. 5. The pursuit of excellence. 6. Empowerment alone cannot help our women.

2000

1. Why should we be proud of being Indians? 2. The cyberworld: Its charms and challenges. 3. The country’s need for a better disaster management system. 4. Indian culture today: A myth or a reality? 5. The implications of globalization for India. 6. Modernism and our traditional socio-ethical values.

1. The composite culture of India. 2. Woman is God’s best creation. 3.The misinterpretation and misuse of freedom in India. 4. India’s contribution to world wisdom. 5. The language problem in India: Its past, present and prospects. 6. The world of the twenty-first century.

1997

1. What we have not learnt during fifty years of Independence. 2. Judicial activism. 3. Greater political power alone will not improve women’s plight. 4. True religion cannot be misused. 5. The modern doctor and his patients. 6. Urbanization is a blessing in disguise.

1996

1. Literacy is growing very fast, but there is no corresponding growth in education. 2. Restructuring of UNO reflect present realities 3. New cults and Godmen: a threat to traditional religion 4. The VIP cult is a bane of Indian democracy 5. Need for transparency in public administration 6. Truth is lived, not taught

1995

1. Politics without ethics is a disaster. 2. The new emerging women Power: the ground realities. 3. When money speaks, the truth is silent. 4. Whither Indian democracy? 5. Restructuring of Indian education system. 6. Disinterested intellectual curiosity is the lifeblood of civilisation. 7. Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds.

1994

1. Youth is a blunder, Manhood a struggle, oldage a regret 2. The Indian society at the crossroads. 3. Modernisation and westernisation are not identical concepts. 4. Useless life is an early death. 5. Politics, bureaucracy and business – Fatal Triangle. 6. Multinational corporations – saviours or saboteurs

1993

1. My vision of India in 2001 A.D. 2. The global order: political and economic 3. He would reigns within himself and folds his passions and desires and fears is more than a king. 4. Compassion is the basic of all morality would 5. Men have failed: let women take over. 6. Economic growth without distributive justice is bound to breed violence. 7. Ecological considerations need not hamper development. 8. Computer: the harbinger of silent revolution.